5 Quick Tips to Improve your Wi-Fi Speed

Chances are that you may not be getting the most out of wireless internet connection. It could be the positioning of your router or something software-related that's throttling your speed. Here are some quick tips to see if you can improve your Wi-Fi with simple steps.

Reposition your router

If you’re getting spotty Wi-Fi signals in parts of your home, the likely culprit would be the positioning of your router. Be sure to place the router in the center of your house as much as possible, in an open area away from other electronic devices and obstructions.

Moreover, you can try raising your router up a notch so as to spread the signal area better.

Keep your Wi-Fi secured

When a network is left unsecured, it can cause slower speeds thanks to random users leeching off of you. Besides the potential threat of compromising your data, these “guests” tend to occupy your bandwidth and are otherwise a nuisance to the well-being of your download speed.

You can log in to your router’s admin page by typing in your router’s IP address in a web browser. The process is usually listed out in the router’s manual. Choose WPA2 encryption method for your security and enter a password you can remember.

Switch to 5GHz

Most modern routers come with two options for Wi-Fi frequency: 2.5GHz and 5GHz. By changing your frequency to 5GHz, you can void the 2.5GHz spectrum, which may be a little too crowded thanks to all the electronics in your home.

Update your firmware

A commonly forgotten tip to improve your Wi-Fi speed is to update your router’s firmware, especially if it’s a new one. The latest firmware can usually be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website along with a setup guide.

Upgrade your router

If all else fails, sometimes the problem can be as basic as using an old and outdated router. Hardware is often the limiting factor for how fast your Wi-Fi can be.

If your router doesn’t support 802.11ac or even 802.11n, then it’s about time you get an upgrade. 802.11b and 802.11g are outdated and moving on to a new router can definitely boost your Wi-Fi speeds.